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Ishwardi 70 MW (Daehan-HI) Solar Power Plant

  • Jun 20
  • 3 min read

Current Status: Initial Work Underway

Representational Photo :  DSNE (2022)


Ishwardi 70 MW Solar Power Plant, is an announced solar power plant situated in Bilbamni Mouza in Ishwardi Upazila, Pabna District of Bangladesh (Location: 24.1498, 89.0241) probable. It is proposed by the Consortium of Daehan Green Energy Co. Ltd. HI Korea Limited and Pabna Solar Power Limited, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 20 years. The power plant was to start commercial operation before 31 December 2024 (BPDB, 2022). Although the expected commercial operation date was revised to 30 June 2025 (BPDB, 2024), the project has not yet commenced commercial electricity generation according to the latest available information.  


Capacity

The  installed capacity of this power plant will be 70 MW.


Context

As per the proposal of the ministry of power, energy and mineral Resources (MPEMR), the government is expected to disburse approximately BDT 1,843.20 crore over 20 years, following a policy involving a 12% discount factor and an 18.50% plant factor. The electricity tariff is USD $0.1015 (BDT 8.12) per kilowatt-hour for a 20-year duration. The project will operate under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) framework. The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) approved the project on 5 January 2022 under Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2021 (FE 2022). Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) on 30 January 2022 as a preliminary commitment to commission the power plant (BPDB, 2022).


According to the LOI, the Commercial Operation Date of the power plant is estimated before 31 December 2024 (BPDB, 2022). According to BPDB, the power plant is expected to be in operation from 30 June 2025, but the respective Power Purchase Agreement is yet to be signed (BPDB, 2024).


Land Acquisition

182 acres of land has been acquired for this power plant (DSNE, 2022). 


Finance

The government's total 20-year commitment to the project is approximately $215 million at $0.1015/kWh for 70 MW (Islam, 2022). The project  will cost BDT 1,843.20 crore which will be invested by the consortium (PA, 2022). 


Sponsor

It is proposed by a consortium of Daehan Green Energy Co. Ltd, Hi Korea Co. Ltd and Pabna Solar Power Limited (TBS, 2022).


Contractors

No information has been found about the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor.


Fuel Supply

The power plant is a solar power plant which runs with the energy from sunlight.


Power Generation

The plant is not in generation yet.


Environment

Ground-mounted solar panels present numerous advantages compared to rooftop installations. Positioned strategically on the ground to optimize exposure to sunlight, these panels enhance energy production. Their adaptable placement allows installation in open areas with minimal shading, offering greater flexibility in choosing suitable locations. Beyond contributing to environmental preservation through the generation of clean, renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, ground-mounted solar panels aid in land conservation by utilizing non-arable or unused spaces .According to Section 12 of the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is obligatory for any industry (MOLJPA, 1995). The polluting industries, such as power plants, have to go through an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and EIA as directed in the Environmental Conservation Rules 1997 (MOEFCC, 1997). But unfortunately, no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was found of this project. According to the environmental conservation rule 2023 the project falls in the “Orange” indicating it as a moderately harmful project for the environment  (MOEFCC 2023).


References

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